Postdoctoral Students in History

Reference number: PAR 2025/909
University: University of Gothenburg
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
Department: Department of Historical Studies
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

About the University of Gothenburg

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. With approximately 58,000 students and 6,800 employees, the university is a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research environments and attractive study programmes draw researchers and students from around the world. Through new knowledge and perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Department of Historical Studies

The Department of Historical Studies conducts education and research within three disciplines:

• History

• Archaeology

• Classical Archaeology & Ancient History

Education is offered at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral studies. Research is conducted both within individual subjects and through large interdisciplinary projects, often involving national and international collaboration. The department currently employs around 100 staff, including researchers, lecturers, doctoral students, and administrative personnel.

In Classical Archaeology & Ancient History, teaching and research focus on social and political change in ancient societies. The chronological and geographical scope spans the ancient Mediterranean from prehistory to Late Antiquity, with a strong emphasis on Greek and Roman cultures. The discipline is interdisciplinary, drawing on visual, textual, and archaeological sources, and collaborates closely with other subjects at the department.

Further information:
https://www.gu.se/en/historical-studies

Position Description

The Department of Historical Studies is seeking a qualified and motivated doctoral student (PhD) in Classical Archaeology & Ancient History.

General information about doctoral studies at the University of Gothenburg is available at:
https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties

A doctoral student is expected to:

• Conduct independent research and contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline

• Develop original research ideas

• Communicate research results clearly in both oral and written form

The primary goal of the position is for the doctoral candidate to acquire the knowledge and skills required to conduct independent research and to produce a scholarly doctoral thesis in Classical Archaeology & Ancient History. The position also aims to prepare the doctoral student for postdoctoral research or other qualified professional careers.

The doctoral position:

• Is normally four years in duration

• Is conducted full-time (minimum 50% if justified)

• May include departmental duties of up to 20%, primarily teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but possibly including research or administrative tasks

• If departmental duties are performed, the employment period will be extended accordingly

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and subject-specific eligibility, as defined in the general syllabus.

General Eligibility

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Completed a second-cycle degree, or

• Completed courses totalling at least 240 higher education credits (HEC), including at least 60 HEC at second-cycle level, or

• Acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad

Specific Eligibility

Applicants must have:

• At least 120 HEC in Classical Archaeology & Ancient History or equivalent qualifications

• Of these, at least 30 HEC at second-cycle level, including a degree project of at least 15 HEC, or equivalent

• Sufficient proficiency in Swedish and English to actively participate in compulsory courses, seminars, and departmental activities

Assessment Criteria

In accordance with Chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance, applicants will be assessed based on their estimated ability to benefit from doctoral studies and the department’s supervisory capacity. Assessment will be based primarily on:

• Previous academic work, evaluated in terms of the ability to formulate, delimit, and analyse research problems and present results

• A proposed doctoral research project outlining research interests and intended focus

• Demonstrated familiarity with relevant research, sources, and methods

• Academic transcripts

• Other academic merits

The selection process will include interviews. Applicants must provide the names and contact details of two references.

Admission may also be granted within the framework of external employment (so-called samverkansdoktorand). The assessment process is the same as for other applicants, and an agreement will be established between the employer and the University of Gothenburg.

Applications are reviewed by an advisory committee, and final admission decisions are made by the Head of Department. Admission decisions are announced in May and cannot be appealed.

Admission and Employment

Upon admission, the candidate will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg in accordance with SFS 1993:100.

• Initial employment: Maximum 1 year

• Renewals: Up to 2 years at a time

• Maximum employment period: 8 years, but not exceeding the equivalent of 4 years of full-time doctoral education

Employment Details

• Type of employment: Doctoral studentship (4 years)

• Extent: 100% (full-time)

• Location: Department of Historical Studies, Gothenburg

• Start date: 1 September 2026

Salaries are set according to a local agreement for doctoral students.

Doctoral studies at the department require physical presence. If a residence permit is required, the department reserves the right to revoke the admission decision if a valid permit cannot be presented by the start date.

Contact Information

Doctoral programme questions
Professor Lars Hermanson
Associate Head of Department for Doctoral Studies
Email: lars.hermanson@history.gu.se

Subject-related questions (Classical Archaeology & Ancient History)
Professor Ida Östenberg
Head of Subject
Email: ida.ostenberg@class.gu.se

Employment conditions
Johanna Hagbranth
Human Resources Officer
Email: johanna.hagbranth@gu.se

Unions

Information on union representatives:
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application is complete and submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications must include the following (PDF format only):

1. Cover letter (maximum 1,000 words, approx. 2 pages), structured as:

   • Brief personal presentation

   • Summary of academic merits

   • Summary of the intended research project

   • Motivation for applying to the doctoral programme at the Department of Historical Studies

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

   • Including publications (if applicable)

   • Names and contact details of two references

3. Second-cycle thesis (e.g. Master’s thesis) or another independently authored scholarly work

4. Research project description (maximum 3,000 words, excluding bibliography), including:

   • Abstract

   • Research questions and originality

   • Review of relevant research

   • Sources and methods

   • Preliminary time schedule

5. Verified academic transcripts and documentation of relevant qualifications

   • Transcripts must clearly indicate course level (BA, MA, PhD), credits, and degrees

Documents must be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English, or include certified translations.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by: 29 January 2026

Information for International Applicants

Information on living and working in Gothenburg is available at:

• https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services

• https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

Additional Information

The University of Gothenburg actively promotes equal opportunities and values diversity in its operations. Salaries are set individually.

In accordance with regulations from the National Archives of Sweden, application documents will be stored for two years after the appointment is filled, after which they will be returned upon request or destroyed.

The University has decided on recruitment channels for this position and declines further contact from recruitment and staffing agencies.

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com